L Need Some Advice Re My Gsd

[Tilly2]

When they do go off their back legs, how do you get them into the back of the car to get them to the vets? My g
irl seemed to be doing well on her tablets but today she is having trouble getting up, literally dragging herself along the floor. She has got to her feet and fallen over twice this evening. I rang the vet earlier today who said she must have been overdoing it because she felt better and to let her rest.
I am afraid that tomorrow she won't be able to stand up.
How will we get her in the car, put a blanket under her and lift her?
Any good ideas?
I may resort to getting the vet to come to the house.

[Psybbo]

Have you got a wide plank that you could rest against the boot and the ground that she could walk up? Something like a door?

[Tilly2]

We do have a dog ramp that she walks up. What if she can't walk, Psybbo?

[Tilly2]

I know I'm panicing and looking at worse case senario. I just need to know what to do if...

[wolf63]

Vet to the house seems so much simpler.

Both of dogs were about GSD sized. You will only end up hurting both yourself and your little girl if you try to lift her.

If she is having problems with her back legs is she still managing to control her bladder? Or is it just the joints that are problematic.

I really hope that this is just a blip in her recovery process.

Susan x

[Tilly2]

Wolf, she seems to be okay apart from that look of panic in her eyes when she can't get up or falls over.
Is that what happens, the fall over and can't get up again? I have not had a GSD that's reached this age before. I don't know what to expect.

[wolf63]

Both my dogs were only GSD crosses. Although both of them had arthritis they died of other things before we had any serious mobility problems.

I know how you feel - you have no control of the situation and you are also very emotionally involved. When the demon in my avatar starts coughing with his asthma all rational thought goes out the window and I find myself in a state of anxiety and make myself quite ill.

Do you have anyone who can help you?

Let me know how you get on at the vet - you know that her age it may be that the best thing (the kindest thing) is going to be (at some stage) to let her go. That sounds so simple - but it is a very hard decision to make.

Best wishes

[Tilly2]

I do know that inevitably I will have to make a decision. I'm just looking for some reassurance. Thank you both for trying to help.

[paddywak]

Oh dear tilly, sorry to hear your girls is poorly again. I think wolfs suggestion is the best, most vets are willing to make house calls, and even small GSD's are heavy and trying to lift her into a car will only distress her. I do hope things turn out for the best but to be honest I would prepare myself for the worst.

[Tilly2]

O.k. Thank you, paddy.

[Psybbo]

Does she have a bed, if she does could you get help to lift her in it into the car? I'm really afraid her back end has gone (been there) and you will have to make a very painful decision but you know she has had a great life, love and thoughts are with you xx

[Chipchopper]

Hi Tilly,
I think the best think to do is contact the RSPCA, and ask advice, after all that's what their there for.
Good luck.

[tonyav]

Tilly, you have my sympathy, I have no more advice other than what the others have said, better to get the vet to visit you I think.

[Sparkles62]

Tilly, as Tony said, I have nothing to add, that hasn't already been said.
Just wanted to give you my love and say that my thoughts are with you.
I was in the same position in feb. X X

[rockyracoon]

Oh Tilly, I'll be thinking of you x

[lilacben]

I am really hoping tomorrow she will be better and able to stand. My Ben is gradually finding it hard to get up. Even going into the garden he sometimes takes ages to get down a very small step.He will not walk on a plank or board. As for the car we let Ben get in the back door now and he lays across the footwell. Sometimes we have to help him get his backside in. To get him out we have to move the seats as far forward as we can and ease him out. with his lead or help him from behind. Good luck for tomorrow. Love and thoughts are with you both .xxxxxxx

[lankeela]

Get a bathtowel and thread it under her just in front of her back legs. Lift it up and hopefully she will be able to get a grip with her front legs as these don't go. Hold the towel together and encourage her to walk forward.

[killi_man]

My GSD is only 4 and her legs were starting to go a bit, mainly after exercise which is a real shame cause her greatest pleasure is chasing a ball through the park. Not sure whether it's slowing down on the ball throwing or supplements (been using glucosamine with ALA from chemeyes.co.uk) but she seems to have improved. Does seem to be something that will be a problem for GSDs in general though. Agree that house calls will be least distressing if that's an option

[lankeela]

If your GSD is having problems at only four I would be extremely worried and get her checked.

[killi_man]

Thanks Lankeela, we're in the process. She's OK generally but after some hard ball chasing she suffers for a few days afterwards so has to take it easy. The glucosamine has certainly helped (I think anyway...)

[lilacben]

Tilly, Are you there.? How did things go? Keep thinking of you.
Brenda xx